Pacemaker rate too low?

Ask to have rate raised

by JaneJ - 2024-06-18 02:39:47

Hi!  I had the same situation as you when I first had my device put in.  I was used to my heart rate running a little higher and 60 did not feel right for the lower rate for me.  They raised it to 70 for lower limit and I felt much better.  Now with subsequent pacemakers, I've always made sure they keep it at 70.  Def ask them to raise it for you.  Hope it helps!

Low IPG rate

by piglet22 - 2024-06-18 04:46:14

Do you take medication for heart conditions?

Having the pacemaker allows medication like beta blockers or increased dose.

Bisoprolol is a popular (UK) choice, but the downside is physical fatigue (aching legs, unable to do tasks, but not necessarily shortness of breath).

I was doing  day to day tasks comfortably for 18 years on 60 BPM without any fatigue.

Complications (ectopic) started causing the IPG to drop the palpable rate to 40 BPM.

This caused physical issues and dizziness.

Raising the rate from 60 to 70 had no effect and eventually 10 mg Bisoprolol was prescribed to calm the ectopics.

Yes, it helped, but caused its own problems.

Definitely go back to your pacing team or cardiologist, explain your concerns.

Pacemakers are very tweakable.

If you aren't already doing it keep a record of pulse rate (oximeter is reliable assuming no complications, BP monitor is better if complications present)

Severe fatigue can have many causes

by Gemita - 2024-06-18 05:32:30

I would perhaps make an appointment to see your general doctor to rule out other causes as well.  

Like Jane, I have had some success with raising my lower rate limit to 70 bpm, but as Piglet says, it may not help all of us to feel better, depending on the cause for your symptoms.  In Piglet's case, the cause for his symptoms appeared to be heart rhythm disturbances (ectopic beats), which can make us feel truly awful if they are frequent and prolonged.

You could ask your cardiologist whether you are getting any heart rhythm disturbances and if so whether a higher lower rate limit could help? A higher rate may overdrive pace any slowing, pausing, irregular heart rhythms, helping you to feel better.  Raising my lower rate limit from 60 bpm to 70 bpm made an enormous difference.  Of course other settings may need to be adjusted too, since our heart condition never stays the same, does it?  That is the nature of electrical disturbances like heart block and sinus node abnormalities.  They usually progress.

I hope that your general doctor or cardiologist can help you.  Please let us know how things go.  I hope for the very best

av block

by Tracey_E - 2024-06-18 09:54:10

Ask if you have sinus issues also. Does your rate sit at 60? If it does, that does not sound like av block. With av block, generally the sinus node works normally and all the pacer is doing is making sure the venticles beat in sync with the atria. If your rate was in the 70's but has dropped, it's possible you now have sinus issues and the pacer needs to be reprogrammed to meet your new needs. 

As Gemita pointed out, fatigue can have many causes. It's easy to get tunnel vision and blame everything on the pacer, so a visit to your GP may be in order to rule out anything else going on. 

Fatigue

by jmwaldhelm - 2024-06-20 15:07:25

I've had my general doctor run extra tests, looked at meds, etc. to try to find the cause(s) of my severe fatigue.

So, I am going to go see my pacemaker doctor and discuss what I described in my original post.

Thank you everyone very much for your comments and suggestions.